I've done some searching around the forums for the past few months, and come across some helpful threads, but I haven't been able to decide.

We boight our 2004 x350 one year ago and have loved it. We have plans to go from two cars to one, the Jag being "it" (we have two kids, too). We recently drove the car across the country from Idaho, to Texas, and then to Georgia with zero problms (just over 70000 miles now). We plan on driving it back to Idaho but are trying to figure out how to get most of our belongings back in one car, and then utilize it as our only vehicle.

Now to the point. I've been looking at roof racks, specifically Thule, with a cargo carrier or basket on top. That'll set us back 500 or so bones, and we'd still be limited on carrying capacity. I contacted the closest Jag dealer, and their proice isn't any cheaper. Any other cheaper options for a roof rack that anyone has used?

Our ideal option is to get a hitch, but finding them here in the states has been impossible so far. In fact, I can't even find a shop (in Idaho or Georgia) that will custom fab one due to liability reasons. I've contacted a hitch company in Europe and dug arond there, but they won't ship to the states, and even if they would, it probably wouldn't be cost effective.

I'd really like to keep the car, but it seems like we're running out of options, and I feel we'll need to carry a bit more than a trunks worth shortly.

As a sidenote, we just had a CATS system malfunction two days ago, first problem for the car. I'm the type to go all in or sell, so before I put money into it (ie coilovers, as thats what I'd prefer long term) I'd like to see if there are any options I'm overlooking for cargo hauling.